We already brought you part one of our list of 15 things you probably didn’t know about Marilyn Monroe, and now we’re back with part two! Check out eight more random and rare facts about this late legend – who knows, you might learn something new!
Number Eight: She Was a Christian Scientist. When she was 18, Monroe became a Christian Scientists. However, later in life she also investigated Anthroposophy, which was a new age philosophy supported by Rudolf Steiner. Before her marriage to Arthur Miller in 1956, she converted to Judaism.
Number Seven: Her Weight Fluctuated Often. Monroe’s weight would change so rapidly and so dramatically that the costume designer for The Prince and the Showgirl had to create dresses in two different sizes. The designer, Beatrice Dawson, is reported as saying, “I have two ulcers from this film, and they’re both monogrammed MM.”
Number Six: She Went Through Several Acting Coaches. Monroe had an acting coach near her at almost all time. Her first coach was named Natasha Lytess and worked with her over the course of six years and had a very intense coaching style. Her second coach, Paula Strasberg, had a more hands-off approach to coaching Monroe.
Number Five: Her Estate Was Purchased in 2011. In January of 2011, Authentic Brand Groups officially purchased the licensing rights associated with Monroe’s estate. They purchased the rights at the very steep price of $30 million.
Number Four: Mariah Carey Has Her Piano. In a 1999 auction, Monroe’s white baby grand piano sold for $662,500 to Mariah Carey, Interestingly, the piano was priced at a mere $10,000 to $15,000.
Number Three: She Wore a Wig to Her Funeral. Because part of Monroe’s head had to be shaved for her autopsy, she wore a platinum wig to her open casket funeral. She also wore a Pucci sheath dress made of nylon jersey in the color green.
Number Two: She Wanted to Remarry Joe DiMaggio. It is believed that Monroe was interested in remarrying ex-husband Joe DiMaggio at the time of her death. DiMaggio had been working on building their relationship; he was undergoing therapy, quit drinking, and he often read poetry together with Monroe.
Number One: One of Her Gowns Sold for 820,000 Pounds. The gown that Monroe wore when she sang “Happy Birthday” to President Kennedy sold for an impressive 820,000 pounds in 1999. However, this is not the most expensive item of clothing Monroe has ever sold. Her Seven Year Itch dress sold for 2.8 million pounds in 2011.